Neck closure for protective hood device

ABSTRACT

IN COMBINATION, PROTECTIVE HOOD MEAS ADAPTED TO COVER AND ENCLOSE THE WEARER&#39;&#39;S HEAD, AND NECK CLOSURE MEANS, THE PROTECTIVE HOOD MEANS INCLUDING A HOOD ENCLOSURE WITH A CLOSED TOP END AND AN OPEN BOTTOM END, AND FABRICATED FROM GAS IMPERMEABLE FLEXIBLE FILM OF TRANSPARENT HEAT RESISTANT MATERIAL, THE NECK CLOSURE MEANS BEING DISPOSED ADJACENT THE OPEN END THE HOOD AND ADAPTED TO SNUGLY FIT ABOUT THE NECK OF THE WEARER, THE NECK CLOSURE MEANS COMPRISING AN ANNULAR RING OF GENERALLY SELF-SUPPORTING ELASTOMERIC FILM.

T. F. ORIGER 3,562,813 NECK CLOSURE FOR PROTECTIVE HOOD DEVICE Feb. 16,1971 Filed y 5, 1969 I (II W- 5 lw v X H 1| L k VII; 111 {ilk 5 2 INVILN'IYIR. 595065- F 0 LQW g United States Patent 3,562,813 NECK CLOSUREFOR PROTECTIVE HOOD DEVICE Terrence F. Origer, Northfield, Minn.,assignor to G. T.

Schjeldahl Company, Northfield, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota FiledJuly 3, 1969, Ser. No. 838,830 Int. Cl. A42b 1/04, 3/02 US. Cl. 2-3 4Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In combination, protective hood meansadapted to cover and enclose the wearers head, and neck closure means,the protective hood means including a hood enclosure with a closed topend and an open bottom end, and fabricated from gas impermeable flexiblefilm of transparent heat resistant material, the neck closure meansbeing disposed adjacent the open end of the hood and adapted to snuglyfit about the neck of the wearer, the neck closure means comprising anannular ring of generally self-supporting elastomeric film.

The present invention relates generally to an enclosure or protectivehood device which may be utilized for covering and enclosing the wearershead, this hood b ing fabricated from a gas impermeable flexible film ofvisibly transparent but heat resistant material. Protective hood devicesof this type are particularly adapted for use in emergency situations,such as, for example, an airplane crash, a fire, or other catastrophicoccurrence.

It has been ascertained that passengers in tragedies such as the crashof an aircraft or the like frequently survive the impact, but are foundto have perished in the aftermath of flame, smoke, or other noxiousconditions. In order to assist those survivors in being able to abondonor otherwise leave or evacuate the environment, a hood enclosure hasbeen designed to be worn by these survivors, this hood providing asufliciently sound protective barrier to assist the wearer for a limitedperiod of time while in the process of evacuating the immediate area.This particular enclosure is sufliciently heat resistant and reflectiveto infrared so as to provide a maximum degree of protection for alimited period of time. Obviously, in such a situation, several minutesof protection may reasonably be adequate to provide evacuation ofsurvivors from a flaming wreakage situation.

A basic protective hood structure is described in the copendingapplication of Harold I. Reynolds, Ser. No. 668,738, filed Sept. 18,1967, entitled Heat and Smoke Protective Hoods, and assigned to the sameassignee as the present invention.

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, a protective hoodenclosure is provided with a gas impermeable elastomeric neck closuremeans adjacent the open end of the hood, the neck closure means beingadapted to snugly fit about the neck of the wearer. The neck closuremeans comprises an annular ring of a generally self-supportingelastomeric film, the outer periphery of which is secured to the innerperiphery of the base of the hood. The neck closure ring is fabricatedfrom elastomeric material in order to permit the wearer to pull the hoodstructure over the top of his head, and still retain suflicientresiliency so as to provide a reasonably snug fit about the wearersneck. The neck closure means is preferably self-supporting in order thatit will hold the portion of the hood which encloses the wearers face ina generally cylindrical configuration. Thus, the surface of the hood isheld away from the wears face and skin, thus providing a greater degreeof comfort for the wearer.

Patented Feb. 16, 1971 In addition, the self-supporting feature of thefilm provides a greater volume of entrapped air for supplying the wearerwith the necessary respiratory air for a limited period of time.

Protective hood enclosures are preferably fabricated from a gasimpermeable flexible film of transparent but heat resistant material.Such films are now commercially available, one such film being thatcertain film fabricated from polyimide (amide) substances such asdisclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,867,609, this film being essentiallypolypyromellitimide. In order to assist the film material in being bothvisibly transparent, but yet reflective to infrared radiation, a visiblytransparent protective film of a metal such as aluminum, silver, gold orcopper is applied to substantially the entire outer surface of theenclosure. In order to protect the reflective properties of the infraredreflective metal, a protective film may be applied to the metallicsurface. The protective film will render the metallic film resistant tooxidation or sulfiding.

In order to reduce costs, it is possible to fabricate the hood fromcombinations of different materials, the portions being combinedtogether so as to form a gas impermeable transparent hood enclosure. Inthis connection, the cap portion and the neck portion may be fabricatedfrom one material, while the portion about the wearers eyes may befabricated from a different material so as to enhance the transparentfeatures.

'It is important to recognize that the hood structure isomni-directional in its visual characteristics, thus permitting thewearer to place the hood over his head in any arcuate disposition, andstill enable easy vision. Furthermore, the neck ring feature willprevent the entry of noxious gases or flames into the breathing area.With the neck-ring seal being utilized, it is nevertheless possible forthe unit to be provided with an independent supply of air.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide aprotective hood apparatus fabricated from a gas impermeable flexiblefilm with transparent heat resistant material, the hood structure beingfurther provided with a resilient neck-ring capable of sealing theenclosure from external air, and also providing a cylindricalconfiguration for the hood structure while on the wearers head.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedprotective hood enclosure for enveloping and otherwise covering thewearers head, the enclosure being provided with a resilientself-supporting neckring closure for maintaining the integrity of theair within the enclosure, and for also maintaining the hood structureoutwardly of the wearers face.

Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art upon a study of the following specification,appended claims, and accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hood structure, the view showing thebottom neck ring closure prepared in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line and in the direction ofthe arrows 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrating a somewhat modifiedform of hood structure, the structure further including the neck ringclosure at the base thereof; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line and in the direction ofthe arrows 44 of FIG. 3.

In accordance with the preferred modification of the present invention,the protective hood enclosure generally designated 10 comprises anenvelope or the like 11, the upper portion thereof being shown in theform of a hemisphere or the like such as at 12, the lower portion beinggenerally cylindrical such as at 13. In lieu of a hemisphere, othergenerally circular shell configurations may be utilized such as, forexample, a modified hemisphere or semi-ellipsoid may be used. Theportion normally covering the eyes is highly transparent, such as isshown at 14. The base of the unit is provided with a gas impermeableelastomeric neck closure means such as at 15, this closure means beingmounted adjacent the open end of the hood. The elastomeric neck closuremeans is generally in the form of an annular ring, and has an innerperiphery 16 which is adapted to snugly fit about the neck of thewearer. The annular ring neck closure is substantially self-supporting,thereby being somewhat resistant to lateral sag or droop, theself-supporting feature enhancing the ability of the hood to maintain agenerally cylindrical configuration.

The material which has been found highly desirable for use in the neckring 15 is a polyurethane film, oriented upon being blown. One suchpolyurethane film is sold by the B. F. Goodrich Company of Akron, Ohio,under the code name Tuftane TF 110.

The envelope structure is preferably formed from a heat resistantflexible film material, one such material which is particularlydesirable being that certain polyimide (amide) substance sold under thecode name Kapton by the E. I. du Pont de Nemours Corp. of Wilmington,Del. This material is available in film form, the thickness being in therange of from 1 to 3 mils. Polyimide (amide) films of thepolypyromellitimide type are capable of withstanding ambienttemperatures in excess of about 1400 F.

In order to protect the outer surface of the flexible film, a coating ofa visibly transparent infrared reflective metal is applied to the entireouter surface of the enclosure. Visibly transparent films of aluminum,silver, gold or copper may be utilized. Film thicknesses of thesevarious metals ranging from between about 200-400 A. have been founduseful, with specific films of aluminum generally being preferred belowabout 300 A. It has been further found that somewhat heavier films ofgold may be utilized, such as in the range of about 450 A. Generally,aluminum having a thickness ranging up to about 250 A. or silver rangingin thickness from about 300- 350 A. have been found to be preferred.With particular attention being directed to FIG. 2 of the drawing, itcan be seen that the plastic film shown at 11 is covered with a film ofa metal such as aluminum at 17, this metallic film being covered with asecond coating or film such as the thermal balance or protective filmmaterial 18. One particularly desirable thermal balance material issilicon monoxide, this providing a high desirable A/E ratio, A referringto thermal absorption, E referring to thermal emission, and furtherproviding that radiation in the range of about microns is absorbed. Thismaterial further provides protection against environmental conditionswhich may have an adverse effect on the metallic layer, such as thoseenvironments which would contribute to the formation of oxides orsulphides on the metal. In addition to retarding the optical transparentcharacteristics, sulphides or oxides of aluminum and silver are not asreflective to infrared radiation as the pure metal. It will be furtherappreciated that the protective film assists in both storage capabilityand resistance to flame or other hazardous conditions present incatastrophic environments. While the preferred protective film material18 is silicon monoxide, it will be appreciated that other materials suchas magnesium fluoride, evaporated Teflon, or parylene may be utilized.The protective film further makes it possible to handle the materials byhand, since unprotected silver, for example, readily tarnishes uponexposure to the acids normally found in human perspiration.

When silicon monoxide is used as the protective film, a thickness ofabout 1000 A. is generally preferable. This thickness is adequate toprovide the protection, and this protection is then available withoutrisking fracture or rupture of the film.

It will be appreciated that the structure of the protective hood shouldreasonably be capable of withstanding high ambient temperatures, andhence polypyromellitimide films are highly suited. In other situations,films of polycarbonates, or polyesters such as polyethyleneterephthalate (Mylar) or films of polyvinylidine fluoride or otherpolymeric films may find utility.

In certain instances, it may be desirable to provide a source ofatmosphere for breathing by the wearer. In this connection, a canister,container or the like may be provided which can maintain a supply ofcompressed air, for delivery into the interior of the hood undercontrolled conditions.

With attention being directed to FIG. 3 of the drawing, it will beobserved that the hood generally designated 20 is in three separateparts or pieces,these including a hemispherical top member 21, agenerally tubular or cylindrical base portion 22, along with a highlytransparent window area 23. The window area 23 is bonded, by means of asuitable adhesive or the like to the portions 21 and 22 as indicated inFIG. 4 at 25, for example. In such a structure, it may be possible toutilize heat resistant materials for the portions 21 and 22, and ahighly transparent segment or portion as at 23. The portion 23 may becoated with a film of metal, if desired, but may also be free of such afilm in order to enhance transparency.

As indicated in FIG. 4, the structure is provided with a metallicreflective film as at 26. In some instances, it may be deemed suflicientto provide a metallic coating on the upper cap portion only.

It will be appreciated that individuals wearing these hoods may be ableto move substantial distances through flame and smoke areas whilewearing these hoods, without suffering severely from the flame and smokeenvironment. In addition to aircraft tragedies and the like, thesedevices may find utility in other dangerous environments found inmanufacturing facilities, refinery facilities and similar areas.

As typical dimensions, the hood structure will normally have a 12"diameter, and be substantially 16" tall. The neck closure means, whenfabricated from 2 mil elastomeric polyurethane film has a 3" diameteropening as at 16 in FIGS. 1 and 3. This permits the neck closure meansto fit reasonably tightly about the neck of a two year old child, andyet may be worn by adults without experiencing discomfort.

What is claimed is:

-1. In combination with a protective hood means adapted to cover andenclose the wearers head, the hood means comprising:

(a) a hood enclosure adapted to cover and enclose the wearers head, saidhood enclosure having an open end, a closed end, and closure means onsaid open end to sealingly engage the neck of the wearer, and beingfabricated from a gas impermeable flexible film of transparent heatresistant material, the hood enclosure including an upper cap portionand a depending tubular face covering portion of substantially uniformconstruction about the circumference at any individual axialdisposition; and

(b) gas impermeable elastomeric neck closure means adjacent the open endand adapted to snugly fit about the neck of the wearer, said elastomericneck closure means comprising an annular ring of a generallyselfsupporting elastomeric film, the outer periphery of the ring beingsecured to the inner periphery of the base of said hood.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterizedin that said gas impermeable elastomeric neck closure means isfabricated from polyurethane elastomeric film.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 being particularly characten'zedin that said polyurethane film has a thickness of about 2 mils.

4. The structure as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterizedin that said elastomeric neck closure 3,181,532 means isself-supporting, and maintains the base of said 3,295,522 hood generallycircular in its normal disposition. M 3,458,864

References Cited 5 454 911 UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1872 Ackerman 257/1911 Vinton 128142.7 7/1948 Lester et al. 2-174 10 10/ 1949 Carlson2174 6 5/1965 Harris 23X 1/ 1967 Johnson 128-142.7X 8/ 1969 Austin etal. 2202X FOREIGN PATENTS 3/1949 Canada 2-3 JAMES R. BOLER, PrimaryExaminer US. Cl. X.R.

